Queen's Square Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Santa Maria Maior e Monserrate e Meadela

Location

The Praça da Rainha Fountain is located in the historic heart of Viana do Castelo, in the expansive Praça da República, which was once known as Praça da Rainha. Its position is central in the eastern part of the square, standing out in front of the old Town Hall. It is an easily accessible point and a landmark that defines the urban environment of this area of the city.

A Renaissance Legacy

This remarkable fountain is a valuable example of 16th-century Renaissance architecture. Its construction began around 1553 and is believed to have been completed in 1555, although the piping works extended for a longer period. It was designed by the renowned master stonemason João Lopes, the Elder, a prominent figure of his time, and this was the last of a series of monumental projects he carried out in the Minho region and Galicia. Previously, an older fountain existed in the same location. Recognizing its historical and artistic value, the fountain was classified as a National Monument in 1910.

Throughout the centuries, the fountain played a fundamental role for the community of Viana do Castelo, serving as the main point for drinking water supply. Today, although its primary function has changed, it remains an important cultural element and a testament to the history and urban life of Viana do Castelo. Recently, conservation and restoration interventions have been carried out to preserve its integrity and beauty, ensuring its longevity.

Architectural and Artistic Details

Built entirely of granite, the Praça da Rainha Fountain displays a pyramidal structure that rises from a circular base composed of steps. The main basin, also circular in plan, is ornamented with concave cushions and a denticulated frieze. From the center of the basin rises an artistically carved column, which divides into several sections, and where the inscription of the date 1554 is found.

The central body is crowned by two circular bowls, richly decorated with moldings and friezes, from which gargoyle-shaped spouts emerge, each with a distinct expression and size, lending a touch of singularity to the piece. The ensemble is topped by a vegetal finial, surmounted by an armillary sphere and the cross of the Order of Christ, metal elements that symbolize the connection to important moments in Portuguese history. Its decorative richness and formal scheme share great similarities with the Caminha fountain, a work by the same master, reflecting his artistic signature.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt